I planned great fall vacations in Maine. Not just thought about it; I had a day to day plan. And I don’t know if it’s the real reason, but as soon as I realized that no one can fly to Portland, ME with me and that the trip becomes more and more expensive, I backed up.
I backed up and opened Google Maps. I wanted to have the real Fall season in my life before December 🙂 I had sweet memories of the mid-October trip to Kings Canyon last year. The golden leaves and cold stream, hazy horizon, and quiet woods of the low season.
After the short search, I found Shaver Lake and its cabins. And I booked them without any understanding of what the region has and what we will do there.
Only in October, I decided to start planning for this short trip. After checking a few hikes, I had a strong feeling that we will spend three days in the pine woods, so no fall, no foliage.
It was a great and warm Saturday morning when we drove up to the Sierras from Fresno. The elevation rose dramatically, and the valley was almost lost in the haze of the prescribed fires when my eyes started to catch bright spots. Maples (or maple alike) trees met us in the mountains. Oh, they were so gorgeous! We passed Shaver Lake, and nearest Huntington Lake, when found snow on the shadow side of the mountains. Wait, it was a hot October few miles back?!
Again, I felt the same as on Tahoe a few weeks before. I expected us to have wet legs…
I forget to say where we headed. I selected Twin Lakes trail among all others Sierra National Forest trails because I expected to have the range of views and sceneries in 6-7 miles.

After a mile, we found a great overlook on Huntington lake surrounded by orange-leaved aspens. And I felt relieved: here is my ideal Fall!

The trail ascended for a mile or so before heading down to the valley. And if during the hike up, we had a warm sun and almost no mud on the trail, the north side of the ridge was cold and snowy with places of thick mud on the trail.

But here we also met other hikers on the trail. This place is quite popular during the season. And I understand why. The moderate hiking leads you through beautiful scenery and lovely views to two clear alpine lakes. I stood on the rocks and saw a fish in the water! One can spend the whole day here without getting bored.

Upper Twin Lake stole my heart with its emerald water surrounded by golden bushes and white of snow.

But still, we needed to go back before water on top of the snow didn’t become the ice.
Became colder, but at the same time, eyes were able to spot all the bright of the trees not spoiled with the California sun.